J. Eldon Airy
September 5, 1917 — May 21, 2005
J. Eldon Airy, 87, longtime resident of Marion, died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion, of complications of emphysema. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center by the Rev. Dr. Robert Kunz. Friends may call from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2005 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion with military honors.
Survivors include his wife, Bettymae; a son, David (Chris) Airy of LaPorte, Indiana; a daughter, Ruth Airy of Marion; two step-children, Kim (Susan) Ketelsen of Marion and Jana (Ray) Carson of Marion; two grandchildren, Todd & Brett Airy; two step-grandchildren, Moria and Keeley Carson; and a brother, John M. (Corinne) Airy of Phoenix, Arizona.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marjorie; two sisters, Mildred and Iona (who died as an infant); and three bothers, Bert, Loren, and Raymond Airy.
Eldon was born on September 5, 1917 in the family home in rural Derby, Iowa to Dell B. and Dora (Pearcy) Airy. After graduating from Derby High School in 1935, and then Iowa State University, he served with the U. S. Army during WWII. Eldon married Marjorie Huff in 1949 and together had two children. Marjorie died in 1983. He then married Bettymae Ketelsen on June 19, 1993 in Michigan City, Indiana.
Eldon was a lifelong farmer, and had farmed in the Marion area for over thirty years. Eldon was a member of American Legion Post # 298 of Marion, a 35-year member and past president of Linn County Farm Bureau, a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and 50-year member of the Linn County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).
Eldon was an avid bridge player and a friend to many, never truly meeting a stranger. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a devoted friend who was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Linn County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) in Eldon?s memory.
Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #298 of Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Bettymae; a son, David (Chris) Airy of LaPorte, Indiana; a daughter, Ruth Airy of Marion; two step-children, Kim (Susan) Ketelsen of Marion and Jana (Ray) Carson of Marion; two grandchildren, Todd & Brett Airy; two step-grandchildren, Moria and Keeley Carson; and a brother, John M. (Corinne) Airy of Phoenix, Arizona.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marjorie; two sisters, Mildred and Iona (who died as an infant); and three bothers, Bert, Loren, and Raymond Airy.
Eldon was born on September 5, 1917 in the family home in rural Derby, Iowa to Dell B. and Dora (Pearcy) Airy. After graduating from Derby High School in 1935, and then Iowa State University, he served with the U. S. Army during WWII. Eldon married Marjorie Huff in 1949 and together had two children. Marjorie died in 1983. He then married Bettymae Ketelsen on June 19, 1993 in Michigan City, Indiana.
Eldon was a lifelong farmer, and had farmed in the Marion area for over thirty years. Eldon was a member of American Legion Post # 298 of Marion, a 35-year member and past president of Linn County Farm Bureau, a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and 50-year member of the Linn County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).
Eldon was an avid bridge player and a friend to many, never truly meeting a stranger. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a devoted friend who was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Linn County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) in Eldon?s memory.
Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #298 of Marion.
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